About 440 beekeepers are impacted while the eradication zone has been expanded to about 25 kilometres north of Newcastle where the mite, which is deadly to bees, was first detected.

NSW Agriculture Minister Dugald Saunders says he's optimistic the pest can still be eradicated.

"If the teams can get on top of things quite quickly, then the situation can be managed," he told a media conference on Wednesday.

"So it is not just an all-in-at-once destruction of hives. It's very much working with the apiarist at the time to make sure they're comfortable," Mr Saunders said.

John Tracey, from the NSW Department of Primary Industries who is helping coordinate the emergency response, said the industry and community have been providing excellent support.

"We're confident that we're going to achieve eradication, that's the goal," he said.

Beekeeper Ana Martin is still waiting to hear whether her 40 hives at Bulahdelah will be destroyed, after the area was declared a biosecurity zone on Wednesday.

Ms Martin said she appreciates how hard the department is working to contain a developing situation, but still has many questions.

"No one has come to us and said we are about to euthanise your bees, so we don't know exactly," she said.

Amateur Beekeepers Australia's Sue Carney said some have been left frustrated because they want an immediate response "but they also understand that DPI officers are working hard to resolve the situation".

She said dozens of beekeepers have contacted her organisation.

"It's all so new, people are just trying to get their head around what they can and can't do."

Mr Saunders said the department is trying to get to people as quickly as possible and is encouraging beekeepers with questions to get in touch.

Members of the Hunter Valley Amateur Beekeepers group will meet again with DPI representatives on Wednesday night, after meeting on Tuesday night.

Australian Associated Press